To maintain the durability, hygiene of bathroom walls and to make it look aesthetically pleasing, visually appealing, sustainable, having your bathroom walls tiled is the perfect way to go.
Additionally, it is okay to not have your bathroom tiled however, having your bathroom walls tiled can save you from tireless cleaning, water damage, and so on.
Do bathroom walls have to be tiled?
It is not mandatory to tile your bathroom walls, however having bathroom walls tiled can help with water damage, molding, and stains. Additionally, tiling the bathroom walls can give you a sleek, contemporary finish, and can help to repel moisture. It can also make your bathroom look more spacious.
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Do all bathroom walls need to be tiled?
You can tile all the bathroom walls if you do not want your bathroom walls to have water damages, mold and especially if you do not want to renovate frequently.
On the other hand, it is not at all mandatory to have all the bathroom walls tiled. You can just tile the wet areas and use tile alternatives to waterproof other areas.
Should a bathroom be fully tiled?
You can definitely fully tile your bathroom if you want a formal, classy, and less cluttered look. Tiling a bathroom fully also helps to bounce the lights which in turn, gives the illusion of a spacious bathroom.
Tiling a bathroom fully can cost a lot however, a partially tiled bathroom can have water damages and molding problems. Therefore, it is better to go for the contemporary fully tiled bathroom look.
Pros and cons of tiling bathroom walls?
Tiling bathroom walls has been the go-to choice for the majority of people for a long time. Tiling provides an elegant look without compromising functionality and practicality.
However, with different alternative options available in the market for tiles, it is better to be familiar with the advantages and the disadvantages of tiling bathroom walls.
Pros:
Cleanliness:
Tiles are very easy to clean and they require less time for a cleaning session. In addition, having the bathroom fully tiled will also save your bathroom from molding.
You can easily clean the tiles with wet clothes and for deep cleaning, you can use sponges, booms, and mops to clean.
Gives a Spacious Look:
Your small bathroom can look very spacious by having your bathroom fully tiled. You will have the illusion of having more space in your bathroom if you use big tiles.
In addition, if you use paler shades of tiles in your bathroom, this will help to reflect the lights and which in turn will create an effect of a bigger room.
Design Possibilities are Endless:
There are limitless sizes, patterns, and colors available for tiles to put in bathrooms. You can be very creative with it by combining shapes, textures, and designs.
Bathroom tiles come in different geometric shapes and having your bathroom decorated with different versatile pieces helps to give a sophisticated look.
With waterjet technology, stylish curved tiles are a great addition for uplifting the elegant look of the bathrooms.
In addition, you can do different styles such as horizontal, vertical designs, and herringbone styles for walls and floors.
Money Saving:
You can save a lot of money by tiling your bathroom. Tiling a bathroom will cost more initially but it will last longer.
This will be cost-effective in the long run as you do not have to repair or fix any damages. Additionally, you will not have to waste money on occasional paint jobs.
Cons:
Expensive:
Whether you are fully tiling or half tiling your bathroom, this will be costly. Cheaper tiles are also used in bathrooms but they are not durable and sustainable.
In addition, smaller tiles that are placed in bathrooms will cost you even more as these types of tiles will require more money and labor to install.
Furthermore, installation money will also include grout, sealer, mortar, and so on. Renovation is also expensive for tiled bathrooms.
Cleaning:
You can easily wipe or clean your tiled bathroom with washcloths, but a proper wash can be very time-consuming. Water spots, soap scums can damage your tiles and can make them look tacky.
In addition, the grout of tiles gets very dirty with time and usage. This is also very hard to clean as you have to do a lot of scrubbing with a brush, and this can be very monotonous.
Damage and Decay:
Although bathroom tiles are durable, they are still prone to decay if not maintained and cleaned regularly.
Water can get into the grout lines between your bathroom tiles and cause them to absorb moisture. Eventually, this can ruin the tiles and the tiles can decay over time.
In addition, you also need to do grout replacement which will be troublesome to do.
Is it easy or hard to tile a bathroom wall?
For a professional tiler, tiling a bathroom is a very easy task to do. However, if you are an amateur tiler, you may find it a bit difficult.
In addition, if your bathroom walls are flat, it will be easier to tile a bathroom wall otherwise, you will need to level the walls which can make the process even harder to do.
How to install bathroom wall tiles?
Whether you are tiling your bathroom walls yourself or having it done by professionals, there are some precise steps to follow for perfectly tiling your bathroom to enhance its beauty and functionality.
Tools and Materials:
The duration and stress of having your bathroom walls tiled can be reduced if you prepare and buy all the tools beforehand.
You have to make sure to have materials and tools like tile, tile spacers, corner trims, measuring tapes, spirit level, margin trowel, tile nippers, and framing square ready before tiling.
Tile Layout:
You have to take measurements of the bathroom height and width. Before placing them directly on the wall, you need to place the tiles on the floor with spacers and need to measure how much you need to cut from the corners.
Preparing Tile Adhesive:
You should make the appropriate amount of tile adhesive with a proper portion of water and thinset powder.
You can now take some tile adhesive with a trowel and spread it evenly to the wall with horizontal strokes.
Install Tile:
After spreading the adhesive, you can now install the tiles one by one from the corners. You should also put wall tile spacers in the corner between the tiles to adjust the tiles in position and to be able to grout them properly.
Additionally, you also need to install the tile corner joints. In the end, you should wait for the adhesive to dry and follow the process to put tiles in the whole bathroom.
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom wall?
Things such as waterproofing, labor rate, grout, adhesive, tile design, and type can add to the total cost of tiling a bathroom.
There is no exact answer regarding the cost however, tiling bathroom walls can cost you between 700 to 1000 dollars. The rate can be higher or lower depending on your preferences.
How long does it take to tile a bathroom wall?
The duration of tiling a wall depends on the fact whether you or a professional is tiling a bathroom wall.
If you are getting your bathroom tiled by a professional, the duration can be from 6-8 hours to 1 day. In addition, if you are tiling a bathroom wall yourself, you may need 10-16 hours to a couple of days, especially if you do not have the proper materials.
Should you tile the walls in a small bathroom?
Bathrooms’ size should not matter in the case of tiling; rather you can create an elegant bathroom even if your bathroom is small.
You can definitely tile the walls of your small bathroom to make it appear spacious and larger.
Additionally, by adding bigger tiles instead of small ones and including fewer grout lines, you will be creating an illusion of a bigger bathroom and can make it appear less cluttered.
How far up the bathroom wall should I tile?
Deciding the height of tiling depends solely on your preferences. You can go for the floor-to-ceiling tile look for your bathroom if you want a contemporary, modern look.
Covering ¾ of the wall in bathrooms also enhances your bathroom’s sleek interior design and gives a very ultra-modern feel. However, you can always do a half-tiled look and the classic wainscotting to fit your likings.
What size tile looks best in a small bathroom?
Bigger tiles definitely look the best in a small bathroom. However, if you have a small bathroom, the recommended size for tiles for the shower wall should be one to four inches square to maintain functionality.
Additionally, you should use big tiles for larger wall surfaces, and thus by reducing the grout lines, your bathroom will appear larger.
What can I use on bathroom walls instead of tiles?
Although the traditional tile look is the most classic way of decorating your bathroom, there are lots of alternatives to consider while placing something on bathroom walls.
From doing a simple paint job to using delicate stone resin, the possibilities are endless.
- Waterproof wall panels
- Plywood panels
- Acrylic panels
- PVC panels
- Paint
- Marble
- Stainless steel
- Stone resin
- Wood shower panels
To sum up, you can certainly have your bathroom tiled to save yourself from unnecessary renovations, tiresome cleaning sessions, and molding.